Voter Registration Requirements

If you are an ex-felon, you have to meet the requirements as specified by law according to 15 Del C. Chapter 61.

If you're a first-time voter who registers by mail, you're required to submit proof of identification either at the time of registration or when you vote. You can include a copy of your identification with your registration form today! Acceptable forms of ID include: a current utility bill, bank statement, valid photo ID, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address.

Don't forget -- your state may have additional ID requirements when you go to the polls.

If you have additional questions about voting in Delaware, please contact:

Office of the State Election Commissioner: (302)-739-4277; coe_vote@state.de.us

Registration Deadline

Postmarked by: the fourth Saturday before Election Day.

Felony Information

Under Delaware law, if you were convicted of a felony, you may apply to the Board of Elections in your county to have your right to vote restored five years after you have fully completed all the terms of your sentence (including all fines, probation, and community supervision). If you committed certain offenses including murder or manslaughter, certain sexual offenses, bribery, or other public corruption you may not register and vote unless you are pardoned. For more information on how to register and vote after a felony conviction, visit the Delaware Commissioner of Elections' website, or give them a call at 302-739-4277.n

Information for Students

You must be a resident of the state in which you register and vote. If you're a student from Delaware who attends school in another state, you may need to determine whether you're a Delaware resident or a resident of the state where you attend school. The important thing to keep in mind is that you may only cast your vote in one state.

Here's what Delaware says about residency: Your residence is your domicile, which means your home for an appreciable period of time, without any present intention of moving. You must be physically present and have the intent to remain there permanently or for an indefinite period of time. If you move outside the State with the intention of remaining there for an indefinite time as a place of present domicile, you will lose your qualification of residence within the State, notwithstanding any floating intention you may entertain to return at some future time.

If you determine you're a Delaware resident, but will not be present in this state or will be away from your home district on Election Day, be sure to check the absentee ballot application requirements and deadlines. In addition, Delaware residents who attend school in-state, but in a different election district, may be eligible to register and vote in the election district where they live while attending school.

To determine whether you're a resident of a different state where you attend school, be sure to check that state's residency requirements.

Identification Information

Delaware says that you need to bring ONE of the following forms of identification:

Valid photo identification

Copy of a current utility bill

Bank statement

Government check

Paycheck

Other government document that contains name and address

A voter who did not bring an ID may instead sign an affidavit stating that he or she is the person on the poll list. But if you are a first-time voter who registered by mail and did not provide the required form of ID with your registration application, you will be asked to provide one of the forms of ID listed above when you go to vote.

Same Day Registration

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Early Voting Information

If you can't make it to the polls on Election Day, you can vote early by mail or in person if you meet ANY ONE of the following requirements:

Your business or occupation prevents you from coming to the polls (this includes students), or

You are on vacation, or

The tenets or teachings of your religion prevent you from coming to the polls, or

You are experiencing a temporary or permanent physical disability, or

You are in the public service of the United States or the State of Delaware and are unable to come to the polls, or

You are incarcerated (not for a felony)

The deadline to vote absentee in person at your local election official's office is 12:00 noon the day before the election. Absentee ballots must be received by the Department of Elections by 8 p.m. on Election Day.